"Memoir is a written expression of learning through living." - F. Scott Service
"Memoir is a written expression of learning through living." - F. Scott Service
Awarded the Pacific Book Review Star
for a Memoir of Excellent Merit.
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Voted as one of the best reviewed books
by IndieReader in April, 2021.
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Awarded the Readers' Favorite Five-Star Review Seal for Memoir.
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Finalist in the 2022 Wishing Shelf Book Awards for Adult Nonfiction.
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"... reads beautifully; measured yet flowing and totally absorbing."
"... a powerful story of self-exploration, loss, and heartbreaking anguish."
"Impeccably written, relentlessly engaging, so intimate it hurts, Service’s extraordinary tale is where the reader wants and needs to be."
"... a unique and very intimate look into the thoughts and emotions brought on by a world falling apart."
"A recurring theme of the book is the concept of conscientious objector and its repercussions."
Finalist in the 2021 15th Annual National Indie Excellence Awards for New Nonfiction
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Winner of the 2021 IndieReader Discovery Awards for Memoir
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Finalist in the 2021 Book Excellence Awards
for Memoir
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Finalist in the 2021 Wishing Shelf Book Awards
for Best Cover Design and Adult Nonfiction
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Honorable Mention Award in the 2021 Readers' Favorite Book Awards for Nonfiction/Military
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Finalist in the 2021 Independent Author Network Book Awards for Autobiography/Biography
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Finalist in the 2021 N.N. Light Book Awards
for Memoir
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"Playing Soldier is a gripping memoir of life, war, loss, and recovery that effectively conveys the fear and horror of a shell-shocked veteran who had once romanticized the idea of being a soldier."
"... a true journey of self-discovery, and eventually self-acceptance."
"Rarely does a memoir feel this raw and immediate, as though some part of the author never left the far-flung places that changed his life forever... "
"Author F. Scott Service offers a candid, raw, and highly emotional slice of the soul in this unforgettable and well-crafted work."
"... a memoir dedicated to the human condition at its rawest, walking the line between life and death."
"Iraq War veteran Service (Lines in the Sand) delivers a blistering rebuke to the military with this extraordinary war (and peace) memoir."
"... a savagely honest work, unadulterated by too much self-editing or posturing."
What they had to say:
“An interesting look into modern history/culture from the POV of a boy growing up seeking the approval of his military father. The best way to describe this novel is ´torment´; the author is so tormented from the beginning. It´s all a bit depressing; not the sort of book to bring to the beach for a light read. But it´s enthralling, honest and highly emotional." - Male reader, aged 57
“The author of this had lived a very interesting life. This is a gritty read, and I would strongly recommend it to anybody wishing to understand the aftermath of going to war. It´s not a pretty sight." - Female reader, aged 49
“A glimpse into the life of the military, going to war, and the resulting PTSD. Shocking, sad, depressing, eye-opening are the best words to describe this book." - Male reader, aged 52
“I loved this book! The author´s story is fascinating and feels so honest. There´s also a little humour sprinkled here and there which I enjoyed. Anybody thinking of going into the military might want to read this first. It´s not like the adverts shown on the TV!” - Female reader, aged 35
To Sum It Up:
‘A gritty exploration of war and the effects it has on the human condition. A FINALIST and highly recommended!' - The Wishing Shelf Book Awards